Rockefeller great-grandson dies in Westchester plane crash

The scene of a plane crash at 120 Cottage Ave., Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a Westchester County airport Friday morning was Richard Rockfeller, great grandson of Standard Oil co-founder John D. Rockefeller.

The scene of a plane crash at 120 Cottage Ave., Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a

The scene of a plane crash at Cottage Avenue in Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a Westchester County airport Friday morning was Richard Rockfeller, great grandson of Standard Oil co-founder John D. Rockefeller. less

The scene of a plane crash at Cottage Avenue in Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a ... more

The scene of a plane crash at 120 Cottage Ave., Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a Westchester County airport Friday morning was Richard Rockfeller, great grandson of Standard Oil co-founder John D. Rockefeller. less

The scene of a plane crash at 120 Cottage Ave., Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a ... more

Emergency vehicles and personnel stand near a command post set up for a small plane that crashed on a road just west of Westchester County Airport, Friday, June 13, 2014, in Purchase, N.Y. The single-engine plane took off just after 8 a.m. and went down after hitting some trees, killing Richard Rockefeller, a great grandson of Standard Oil co-founder John D. Rockefeller. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson) less

Emergency vehicles and personnel stand near a command post set up for a small plane that crashed on a road just west of Westchester County Airport, Friday, June 13, 2014, in Purchase, N.Y. The single-engine ... more

The scene of a plane crash at 120 Cottage Ave., Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a Westchester County airport Friday morning was Richard Rockfeller, great grandson of Standard Oil co-founder John D. Rockefeller. less

The scene of a plane crash at 120 Cottage Ave., Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a ... more

The scene of a plane crash at Cottage Avenue in Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a Westchester County airport Friday morning was Richard Rockfeller, great grandson of Standard Oil co-founder John D. Rockefeller. less

The scene of a plane crash at Cottage Avenue in Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a ... more

The scene of a plane crash at Cottage Avenue in Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a Westchester County airport Friday morning was Richard Rockfeller, great grandson of Standard Oil co-founder John D. Rockefeller. less

The scene of a plane crash at Cottage Avenue in Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a ... more

The scene of a plane crash at Cottage Avenue in Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a Westchester County airport Friday morning was Richard Rockfeller, great grandson of Standard Oil co-founder John D. Rockefeller. less

The scene of a plane crash at Cottage Avenue in Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a ... more

The scene of a plane crash at Cottage Avenue in Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a Westchester County airport Friday morning was Richard Rockfeller, great grandson of Standard Oil co-founder John D. Rockefeller. less

The scene of a plane crash at Cottage Avenue in Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a ... more

The scene of a plane crash at Cottage Avenue in Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a Westchester County airport Friday morning was Richard Rockfeller, great grandson of Standard Oil co-founder John D. Rockefeller. less

The scene of a plane crash at Cottage Avenue in Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a ... more

The scene of a plane crash at Cottage Avenue in Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a Westchester County airport Friday morning was Richard Rockfeller, great grandson of Standard Oil co-founder John D. Rockefeller. less

The scene of a plane crash at Cottage Avenue in Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a ... more

The scene of a plane crash at Cottage Avenue in Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a Westchester County airport Friday morning was Richard Rockfeller, great grandson of Standard Oil co-founder John D. Rockefeller. less

The scene of a plane crash at Cottage Avenue in Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a ... more

The scene of a plane crash at 120 Cottage Ave., Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a Westchester County airport Friday morning was Richard Rockfeller, great grandson of Standard Oil co-founder John D. Rockefeller. less

The scene of a plane crash at 120 Cottage Ave., Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a ... more

The scene of a plane crash at 120 Cottage Ave., Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a Westchester County airport Friday morning was Richard Rockfeller, great grandson of Standard Oil co-founder John D. Rockefeller. less

The scene of a plane crash at 120 Cottage Ave., Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a ... more

The scene of a plane crash at 120 Cottage Ave., Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a Westchester County airport Friday morning was Richard Rockfeller, great grandson of Standard Oil co-founder John D. Rockefeller. less

The scene of a plane crash at 120 Cottage Ave., Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a ... more

The scene of a plane crash at 120 Cottage Ave., Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a Westchester County airport Friday morning was Richard Rockfeller, great grandson of Standard Oil co-founder John D. Rockefeller. less

The scene of a plane crash at 120 Cottage Ave., Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a ... more

The scene of a plane crash at 120 Cottage Ave., Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a Westchester County airport Friday morning was Richard Rockfeller, great grandson of Standard Oil co-founder John D. Rockefeller. less

The scene of a plane crash at 120 Cottage Ave., Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a ... more

The scene of a plane crash at 120 Cottage Ave., Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a Westchester County airport Friday morning was Richard Rockfeller, great grandson of Standard Oil co-founder John D. Rockefeller. less

The scene of a plane crash at 120 Cottage Ave., Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a ... more

The scene of a plane crash at 120 Cottage Ave., Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a Westchester County airport Friday morning was Richard Rockfeller, great grandson of Standard Oil co-founder John D. Rockefeller. less

The scene of a plane crash at 120 Cottage Ave., Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a ... more

The scene of a plane crash at 120 Cottage Ave., Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a Westchester County airport Friday morning was Richard Rockfeller, great grandson of Standard Oil co-founder John D. Rockefeller. less

The scene of a plane crash at 120 Cottage Ave., Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a ... more

The scene of a plane crash at 120 Cottage Ave., Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a Westchester County airport Friday morning was Richard Rockfeller, great grandson of Standard Oil co-founder John D. Rockefeller. less

The scene of a plane crash at 120 Cottage Ave., Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a ... more

The scene of a plane crash at 120 Cottage Ave., Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a Westchester County airport Friday morning was Richard Rockfeller, great grandson of Standard Oil co-founder John D. Rockefeller. less

The scene of a plane crash at 120 Cottage Ave., Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a ... more

The scene of a plane crash at 120 Cottage Ave., Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a Westchester County airport Friday morning was Richard Rockfeller, great grandson of Standard Oil co-founder John D. Rockefeller. less

The scene of a plane crash at 120 Cottage Ave., Purchase, N.Y., Friday afternoon, June 13, 2014. A Rockefeller family spokesman says the pilot of the small plane who died moments after taking off from a ... more

Dr. Richard Rockefeller of Falmouth, Maine, speaks at a news conference Monday, April 12, 1999, in Portland, Maine. A family spokesman says the pilot of a small plane who died moments after taking off from a Westchester County airport was Richard Rockfeller, great grandson of Standard Oil co-founder John D. Rockefeller.

Dr. Richard Rockefeller of Falmouth, Maine, speaks at a news conference Monday, April 12, 1999, in Portland, Maine. A family spokesman says the pilot of a small plane who died moments after taking off from a

(L-R) Richard Rockefeller, Nancy Rockefeller, Susan Rockefeller and David Rockefeller Jr. on June 5, 2012 in New York City. A family spokesman says the pilot of a small plane who died moments after taking off from a Westchester County airport was Richard Rockfeller, great grandson of Standard Oil co-founder John D. Rockefeller.

(L-R) Richard Rockefeller, Nancy Rockefeller, Susan Rockefeller and David Rockefeller Jr. on June 5, 2012 in New York City. A family spokesman says the pilot of a small plane who died moments after taking off

David Rockefeller Sr. A family spokesman says the pilot of a small plane who died moments after taking off from a Westchester County airport was Richard Rockfeller, Son of David Rockerfeller Sr. and great grandson of Standard Oil co-founder John D. Rockefeller. less

David Rockefeller Sr. A family spokesman says the pilot of a small plane who died moments after taking off from a Westchester County airport was Richard Rockfeller, Son of David Rockerfeller Sr. and great ... more

Photo: Jason Kempin, Jason Kempin/Getty Images

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Philanthropist and industrialist John D. Rockefeller, Sr., is photographed in New York in 1932. A family spokesman says the pilot of a small plane who died moments after taking off from a Westchester County airport was Richard Rockfeller, great grandson of Standard Oil co-founder John D. Rockefeller. less

Philanthropist and industrialist John D. Rockefeller, Sr., is photographed in New York in 1932. A family spokesman says the pilot of a small plane who died moments after taking off from a Westchester County ... more

He died fewer than 24 hours after flying into Westchester County to celebrate the 99th birthday of his father, David, a banker and philanthropist.

"He was a warm and extraordinary man, brilliant and idealistic about medicine and social issues," said Greenwich resident Florence Phillips, a close friend of the Rockefeller family. "It's inconceivable that this happened."

Rockefeller's Piper Meridian single-engine turboprop went down in the yard of a house on Cottage Avenue in Purchase, N.Y., a hamlet about a mile from New York's border with Greenwich. Rockefeller, 65, was the only person on board.

The plane narrowly missed the two-story house, which was occupied at the time. No one on the ground was hurt.

Wreckage was strewn across the yard Friday afternoon, with plane parts lodged in a stand of trees the plane clipped before impact, smashing trunks and scything off branches.

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"It's a terrible tragedy," said Rockefeller family spokesman Fraser Seitel. "The family is in shock. Richard was a wonderful and cherished member of the family. He was an experienced pilot.

"He was a medical doctor, and it's horribly sad."

Rockefeller was bound for Portland, Maine, in weather that aviation officials described as extreme.

"It was foggy conditions outside," Peter Scherrer, Westchester County Airport operations manager, said at a news conference Friday. "You can only see about a quarter-mile down the runway ... Indications are it was a 200-foot (visibility) ceiling, but indefinite, meaning he couldn't visually see the ceiling. Those are extreme conditions."

That visibility fell below the standards of visual flight rules, which are based on the principle of "see and avoid" -- meaning a pilot can navigate by sight. Scherrer could not confirm whether Rockefeller was qualified to fly under the more complex instrument flight rules.

An investigation is underway, led by the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board. Flight tapes had not yet been reviewed Friday, but Scherrer said there was no mayday signal from Rockefeller or any other reported signs of distress from the pilot. The airport was briefly closed after the crash. It reopened around 9:45 a.m., according to officials.

The loss of Rockefeller was also felt acutely in Westchester County, where the Rockefellers have deep roots.

"They're very much a part of Westchester County and its history, so our deepest sympathies go out to David Rockefeller and the entire Rockefeller family," Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino said at the news conference.

A nephew of Nelson A. Rockefeller, a former vice president and governor of New York from 1959 to 1973, Richard Rockefeller was a family physician in Falmouth, Maine. He also practiced and taught medicine in Portland and was involved in a variety of health-related nonprofit activities, according to the Rockefeller Brothers Fund.

He founded and served as president of Health Commons Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to improving American medicine through the use of computer-based information tools and shared decision making between patients and physicians.